Ned Rig – Fishing Technique

Currently, the mainstream fishing methods worldwide are divided into: American-style fishing and Japanese-style fishing.

American-style fishing tends to favor heavy rods and thick lines, while Japanese-style fishing leans toward using light rods and thin lines.

The Ned Rig, also known as Ned Rig System, falls under the category of Japanese finesse fishing techniques. Since the Ned Rig is a finesse setup, it naturally calls for light rods and thin lines.

01. The Ned Rig: A Favorite Among Pro Anglers

The Ned Rig was invented by an American angler named Ned Kehde.

Although the Ned Rig looks plain and unremarkable at first glance, its slow descent and subtle tapping motion have immense potential, often resulting in unexpected success even under the toughest fishing conditions.

The hook used in the Ned Rig is called a mushroom jighead, and its shape is quite unique. The reason for this design is to keep the soft plastic worm standing upright on the bottom of the water after it sinks.

When it comes to the bait used in the Ned Rig, there’s one material that must be mentioned: ElaZtech! ElaZtech is a proprietary material from Z-Man, and it is extremely soft, flexible, and 10 times tougher than traditional soft plastics. Unlike most other soft plastic baits, ElaZtech does not contain PVC, plasticizers, or phthalates, and it is non-toxic.

After Z-Man noticed the growing popularity of the Ned Rig, they began producing soft baits specifically designed for it. Whenever the Ned Rig is mentioned, Z-Man’s name is sure to come up.

02.Everyday “Outfit” of the Ned Rig

The Ned Rig itself is incredibly simple: a mushroom-shaped jig head paired with a dedicated Ned soft bait.

The weight of the jig head typically ranges from 1/32oz to 1/8oz. The barb on the hook helps to secure the soft bait in place. Don’t forget to use strong adhesive, as it’s necessary to attach the soft worm to the jig head. Ned Rig-specific jig heads are available in the domestic market, though they can be relatively expensive. There are also some imitation versions available, so you can choose the one that suits you best!

This setup, which is roughly 3 inches long, is typically used to initiate a second wave of attack. For instance, if you’ve already used a buzzbait or spinnerbait but the bass didn’t strike or missed the bait, the Ned Rig has a much higher chance of drawing the fish in for a bite.

The Ned Rig belongs to the category of finesse fishing, and its weight and size are relatively small.

Just like a petite woman choosing her wardrobe, since the Ned Rig is considered “small and delicate,” it pairs best with light tackle.

A light (L) or medium-light (ML) rod is ideal, paired with a 2500-series spinning reel. The most common weights for the jig heads are 1/16oz and 1/8oz.

The Ned Rig is not snag-resistant, so it’s really not recommended for use in grassy areas! However, in obstacle-free waters, the Ned Rig shines. It’s especially effective in rocky (gravel) bottoms or in muddy, weed-free areas.

Why do so many people love the Ned Rig?

Videos by American anglers Dave Reeves and Don Baldridge have shown how effective the Ned Rig can be in pressured fishing waters. As more and more anglers in the U.S. started using the Ned Rig, they’ve achieved great success.

The key to success with the Ned Rig is “slow”! The Ned Rig is all about finesse techniques—technique, technique, technique—not power.

After casting it out, let it sink to the bottom. If you don’t get a bite during the sink, allow it to rest on the bottom before retrieving. Use a “pull-pause” retrieve, where the rig sinks back into the water during each pause. You should wait until it touches the bottom before continuing to reel in (how long to wait depends on you). You can also try a continuous retrieve to bring it back, or keep it still and give it a slight shake (like a drop-shot rig).